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“One analysis by Fred Campbell, director of the conservative think tank Tech Knowledge, concluded that withholding Time Warner content from, say, Comcast and other cable companies would cost AT&T $8 billion a year in lost rights fees. To make up that shortfall, AT&T would need to expand its own subscriber base by 13 million viewers, according to the study.”

“The deal has little to do with the service, notes former FCC official FredCampbell, now a director at Tech Knowledge, but net neutrality advocates will object. He says: ‘If you’re opposed to the merger and the facts and laws aren’t on your side, you look for a popular hook. With zero rating, you’ve got some built-in noisemaking.'”

“Tech Knowledge Director FredCampbell defended DirecTV Now ahead of the hearing, expecting the topic may arise there. ‘What’s not to like about free data and competitive choices?’ Campbell said in a blog post for The Hill. ‘Nothing, if you are a consumer. DirecTV Now’s cap-free video streams are a boon for consumers ‘from a cost point of view’ and offer new competitive options at attractive prices.'”

“The FCC routinely grants satellite earth-station licenses, placing them on public notice and giving the public 30 days to object, said Campbell, the former wireless bureau chief. If Time Warner is able to spin off its licenses, ‘I don’t see how the FCC reviews,’ he said.”

“‘The agency’s letter acknowledges that AT&T offers the same payment terms to all companies that want to take advantage of free data services,’ blogged FredCampbell of TechKnowledge after the letter became public. ‘AT&T doesn’t treat DirecTV any differently than it treats Netflix, Hulu or any other video streaming provider.'”